Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports最新文献

Case summary: A 12-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was referred for investigation of lethargy, hindlimb weakness with plantigrade stance and ventroflexion of the neck. The cat was fed a balanced diet and had received methylprednisolone acetate at a dose of 20 mg intramuscularly every 6 months for 6 years. On blood work, severe hypokalaemia and marked elevation of muscle enzymes were noticeable. The findings were suggestive of hypokalaemic myopathy. Urine fractional excretion of potassium (FE_k) was moderately high (9.04%), and serum aldosterone was below the reference interval. An adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test was compatible with adrenal suppression. Upon hospitalisation, the patient was given intravenous (IV) Ringer lactate solution supplemented with potassium chloride and oral potassium citrate. The serum potassium concentration normalised by the fifth day of hospitalisation; therefore, IV potassium supplementation was suspended. The cat was discharged with oral potassium and the dose was gradually reduced over time. After 4 months, the cat was clinically normal; the serum potassium concentration remained within the normal range and the adrenal glands showed some response to ACTH stimulation. Potassium supplementation was therefore discontinued. One month later, the serum potassium concentration was still within normal limits and at the time of writing (7 months after presentation), no clinical signs had reoccurred.

Relevance and novel information: This report describes a case of hypokalaemic myopathy associated with iatrogenic hypercorticism in a cat. This condition was successfully treated with supplementation of potassium and a complete clinical remission was achieved within 4 months.

Case summary: An 11-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat presented with chronic regurgitation and weight loss. Despite a 2-month history of weight loss, regurgitation intensified over 4 weeks, occurring with every food intake, even on a semi-liquid diet. Physical examination revealed thinness and dehydration, and a focal oval mass was noted in the middle mediastinum on thoracic radiography. Oesophagoscopy identified a 6 cm neoformation almost completely obstructing the oesophageal lumen. Biopsies were taken and histopathology, positivity to melanoma triple cocktail and PNL-2 by immunohistochemistry led to the diagnosis of melanocytic neoplasm. Palliative debulking with argon plasma coagulation (APC) was performed, significantly improving the cat's quality of life for 2 months. The cat survived for 107 days after diagnosis.

Relevance and novel information: This case report describes the first report of melanocytic neoplasia originating from the oesophageal mucosa in a cat. In cats, melanomas outside the eyes are exceedingly rare and oesophageal neoplasms are exceptionally rare in veterinary medicine, particularly melanomas. The diagnosis relied on positive immunohistochemistry markers aligning with previous research. Treatment with APC emerged as a novel, potentially palliative approach, successfully alleviating regurgitation for 3 months. This underscores APC's potential in feline oesophageal neoplasia palliative care, which deserves further investigation in a broader feline cohort to confirm its efficacy. Overall, this report provides valuable insights into the diagnosis and treatment of oesophageal melanoma in cats.

Case summary Two 18-day-old domestic shorthair kittens presented with dyspnoea, mild cyanosis, heart murmur, lung pattern, abnormal crawling and a marked dorsoventral flattening of the thorax. Deformity of the thoracic wall without pectus excavatum was diagnosed. Cardboard corsets tailored to each kitten were applied. This gave immediate respiratory relief, easing distress and pain. After 10 days, clinical and radiographic monitoring revealed normalisation of the shape of the chest wall with an improvement in general condition. At 6 months of age, clinical examination showed normal growth and development of both kittens, with a normal thoracic profile and shape also seen on radiographs. Relevance and novel information Data about flat-chested kitten syndrome and its aetiopathogenesis, treatment and outcome are scarce, but there is significant experience among breeders that is shared through online communities. High mortality rates are reported. The use of a cardboard splint appears to be novel in the published literature; in this case report, it proved to be a rapid and easy solution. For this reason, cardboard splints could be considered as a first approach for the clinical management of flat-chested kitten syndrome.

Case series summary: Two cats were referred to a veterinary teaching hospital with a cotton tip applicator (CTA) tracheobronchial foreign body (FB) after induction of anesthesia for an elective dental cleaning. In both cases, a lidocaine-saturated CTA, utilized to desensitize the larynx before endotracheal (ET) intubation, broke when introduced into the oropharynx and was subsequently aspirated into the tracheobronchial tree. Both CTAs were successfully removed bronchoscopically, and the cats survived with no short- or long-term complications noted.

Relevance and novel information: Utilizing a lidocaine-saturated CTA to facilitate ET intubation in cats is not well described, and information on the relative risks and benefits of this specific method for laryngeal desensitization is lacking. This retrospective case series is the first to describe a complication of this technique and successful treatment. These cases highlight the risk inherent to using a CTA to desensitize the feline larynx.

Case summary: A 7-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair cat was presented for treatment of a bilateral sacroiliac luxation (SIL). CT was performed and the data were extracted in a stereolithography (STL) file, after which a 3D-printed drill guide (3DPDG) was devised, using computer-aided design (CAD) software, and printed. Using an open surgical approach, the guide was used as an aid for drilling the sacrum. The ilial wings were drilled free-hand later and a transiliosacral pin (TP) was inserted to realign and stabilise the SIL. The cat exhibited an early return to normal limb function and a CT scan performed at the postoperative follow-up showed early signs of bone remodelling at the sacroiliac joint.

Relevance and novel information: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report using a 3DPDG for implant placement in the feline sacrum without intraoperative imaging.

Case summary: A 6-year-old female spayed domestic shorthair cat was presented with a 7-month history of a subcutaneous mass on the dorsal nasal surface. A CT examination revealed the presence of a nasal dermoid sinus cyst with a nasal bone defect. The cyst was excised and an autologous fascia lata graft was used for reconstruction. The dorsal nasal bone was reconstituted and no compromise of respiratory function was reported in the long-term outcome. No short-term complications were observed at the 2-week follow-up. No long-term complications or recurrence were observed at the 2- and 12-month follow-ups. Fascia lata grafting appears to be an effective method for repairing a nasal bone defect after surgical excision of a nasal dermoid sinus cyst in cats. It is inexpensive and the tissue is easily harvested and provides good functional and cosmetic results.

Relevance and novel information: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report that evaluates the effectiveness of repairing a nasal bone defect after dermoid sinus cyst excision in a cat using an autologous fascia lata graft.

Case summary: A 6-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for recurrent pleural effusion, atrial fibrillation and suspected congestive heart failure. During thoracocentesis, the fenestrated over-the-needle catheter became fractured and a catheter fragment remained in the patient's left pleural space. Later in the course of treatment, the patient acutely decompensated and was euthanized. There were no immediately observed complications associated with the retained catheter fragment.

Relevance and novel information: To the authors' knowledge, there are no reports of over-the-needle catheter fractures with retained pleural catheter fragments in veterinary medicine. Similar cases in humans have been successfully managed with and without removal of catheter fragments. In veterinary medicine, the decision to attempt removal of a catheter fragment must consider both the likelihood of related morbidity and the patient's ability to tolerate an invasive procedure.

Case summary: An 8-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented with an acute onset of left thoracic limb lameness and a firm swelling on the lateral aspect of the left distal antebrachium. A CT scan of the left thoracic limb revealed an expansile osteolytic cystic bone lesion centred at the distal left ulnar metaphysis. Cytology from fine-needle aspiration was not consistent with neoplasia. The CT features and the cytology results were suggestive of a bone cyst. A distal partial ulnectomy with ulnar styloid process excision was performed as the biopsy method and as the treatment approach. Histopathology results were consistent with an aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC). Carpal instability was not detected after distal partial ulnectomy; therefore, a stabilisation method was not required. Limb function was excellent after surgery, with no lameness and no recurrence detected by the owner at 2, 6 and 24 weeks postoperatively. The veterinary examination at 12 weeks postoperatively confirmed the owner's outcome assessment.

Relevance and novel information: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report describing a distal partial ulnectomy with ulnar styloid process excision in a cat. Despite disrupting the short ulnar collateral ligament, this technique provided excellent short-term limb function with no need for carpal joint stabilisation. This technique allowed for the complete excision of a distal ulnar ABC and avoided cyst debridement, which could be associated with haemorrhage, recurrence and malignant transformation. Distal partial ulnectomy should be considered for distal ulnar bone lesions in cats.

Case summary: A 4-year-old cat was presented with acute onset of lateralised neurological central nervous system (CNS) signs and seizures. Haematological and serum biochemical parameters were within normal limits. Imaging diagnostics revealed severe CT and MRI abnormalities of the right brain, similar to Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome (DDMS) in human medicine. This syndrome includes cerebral hemiatrophy with compensatory calvarial hyperostosis and ventriculomegaly. Such changes have previously been reported only once in a single feline case of approximately the same age. In humans, DDMS is described as an embryonic and perinatal developmental disturbance or an acquired injury in early childhood.

Relevance and novel information: This case report shows that without further imaging diagnostics, congenital disorders can be overlooked in some rare cases of adult cats with later onset of their first clinical signs.

Case summary: An 11-year-old neutered male Turkish Angora cat was referred for obstructive feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). On physical examination, the penis was curved at the tip and had a smaller than normal urethral opening proximal to the end, consistent with singular glandular hypospadias with a dorsal penile curvature. Because of its recurrent obstructive FLUTD history and inability to catheterise the urethra, a preputial urethrostomy (PRU) was performed. The PRU resolved the clinical signs with no clinical recurrence and no short- or long-term complications.

Relevance and novel information: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of singular glandular hypospadias in a cat. In addition, this is the first time feline hypospadias has been reported to occur with obstructive FLUTD and to be treated by preputial urethrostomy.